Alwaght- North Korea's foreign minister said the US deployment of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and planned military exercises immediately after the Winter Olympics threaten improving relations between the two Koreas.
Ri Yong Ho said the United Nations should not remain silent about "the US dangerous game of aggravating (the) situation in and around the Korean peninsula and driving the whole world into a possible disaster of nuclear war."
In a letter to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres circulated late Thursday, the top North Korean diplomat also accused US authorities of "misleading public opinion" to believe the inter-Korean dialogue is the result of US sanctions and pressure.
Ri said it was North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un who launched peace efforts on the Korean peninsula, "where a touch-and-go war danger was prevailing."
Washington and Seoul earlier agreed to delay their annual joint war games in the region until after South Korea hosts the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, which will start next week.
Ri further said in the letter that,“The fact that a dramatic turning point has been made for peace and stability, national reconciliation and cooperation, and reunification on the Korean Peninsula where a touch-and-go war danger was prevailing is entirely thanks to the noble love for the nation by respected Comrade Kim Jong-un (the North Korean leader).”
Meanwhile, North Korea’s state media said in a Friday commentary that the US was attempting to create a “stage of confrontation” at the Olympics, adding that inter-Korean talks and the positive results stemming from them could “disappear” following the Games.
It also slammed a pending visit to the Pyeongchang Olympics by US Vice President Mike Pence, accusing Washington of halting improvements in inter-Korean ties.
The tensions on the Korean Peninsula have worsened over the last year after increased provocations by the US which include military drills and deployment of warships and submarines in the region.
Pyongyang insists that developing its military defenses including nuclear weapons is important to counter incessant provocations by the US including a possible nuclear aggression.
